Question
At what point, when planning functions for a church group, is it ok to say, "no one from the outside is invited"?
Let's say you're having a Christmas party for your Sunday school class, is it ok then? What if you're having a luncheon for all the singles in your entire church, is it ok then? Is it ever ok? Why is it ok sometimes but not others? At what point do we reach out to others and at what point do we tend our own flocks????
Yes, this is a debate that I am having with some Christian friends of mine. I honestly don't know the answer. So enlighten me but don't expect to change my mind easily if at all. Yes I know I haven't really expressed my opinion because I don't want to be a stumbling block if I'm wrong.
A young friend of mine (young married) told me awhile back that she was a part of a home study group that was closed to outsiders. It sounded selfish in a way, but she explained why and it started to make more sense. She said that they kept this one group exclusive so that they could get really close and could open up with each other about their problems. They could and would hold each other accountable to living a more Godly life. She said that if they let in outsiders, that the people would hesitate to open up with each other because of the "stranger" in their midst.
A few years ago we had a "class" on Sunday night in which you could only attend if you had children in school. It was a support group where we could discuss common situations having to do with our common needs. It worked great. We eventually stopped doing it however because some of the older people were having a cow. But people still talk about that wonderful time where we grew closer together.
So, I guess I would say that if you are trying to accomplish a noble purpose that can only be accomplished if the attendees are limited in some way, then it is okay to do it. You can have something else for those others at a different time.
That's just one person's honest opinion. God Bless, Dennis thanks Dennis, your insight is always helpful and welcome (Comment this)